RELATIONSHIP ISSUES IN STRESS MANAGEMENT

Relationships with friends and significant others: can be a great source of social support. However, conflicts often arise due to misunderstandings or being inconsiderate.

Criteria of good friendship: Friendships are a strong social and emotional support. Everyone needs friends to share & care for, listen & help, laugh or cry with, ... or just be there for you.

When you have encountered a very exciting or a very challenging relationship issue that may involve conflict, consider the following strategies:

• Where to start? Be assertive, write out the problem to gain better perspective, talk it out with friends, practice, (script it & role play) use strong diplomacy & public relations skills
• Resolving or preventing conflict: Find a solution to a current stressful situation by avoiding a fight for example, trying to be more understanding, changing perspective, using good-natured humor, mediating, apologizing and by trying to reach a compromise that will suit both parties.
• Practice confrontation amidst conflict: Acknowledge the conflict exists, share the responsibility for it, offer possible solutions and ask for suggestions.

Print out a diagram filling in the names in your web of relationships.

Describe a recent conflict you have experienced with another person(s). How did you handle the situation then and how would you approach it differently now?

When you are stressed, do you have a friend who offers you constructive criticism when needed and who helps you through the rough times? Are you there for them when they need it? Explain how these work together.